-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- England international defender Ashley Cole turned goal scorer as his late winner at Stamford Bridge Saturday gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over Stoke City to stay top of the English Premier League .

Cole was finding the net for the first time in over two years and he left it until the 85th minute , set up by a brilliant pass by Spain 's Juan Mata .

His team had been made to struggle by the battling visitors and looked set for a fourth game without a win in all competitions before the full back 's late intervention .

`` I had a few shots in the first half and took too much time on the ball with them , but this time , the first thing that came into my brain was to dink it and I just did it , '' Cole said .

`` It is mentally good to get a lead in the league table . ''

Fernando Torres scuffed Chelsea 's best chance but Stoke might have gone ahead in the first half when a Jonathan Walters ' header hit the crossbar .

The striker was also subjected to a strong challenge late in the game from Chelsea defender David Luiz , which left the Brazilian lucky to escape a straight red card .

Luiz , who signed from Benfica last year , sealed a new five-year contract with the Blues later Saturday , extending his deal to 2017 .

`` It is a great club and I look forward to winning more trophies here . I want to play for a long time at the top level -- which is what playing for Chelsea means , '' he told the club 's official website .

Four wins from five league games have left Roberto Di Matteo 's men three points clear of Everton , who secured an excellent 3-0 win at 10-man Swansea in the early kick off .

Victor Anichebe and Kevin Mirallas put Everton 2-0 up by halftime and home hopes disappeared when substitute Nathan Dyer was sent off after the break .

Belgian star Marouane Fellaini was rewarded for his fine efforts with a late third goal . He had set up Anichebe for the opener with a pass which TV replays indicated had been via his arm , but he was a constant thorn in the side of the home defense .

West Bromwich Albion continued their fine start to the season with a 1-0 home win over promoted Reading , leaving them third in the early EPL standings .

Southampton earned their first points of the season with a 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa at St Mary 's .

Darren Bent put the visitors ahead in the first half but two goals from Rickie Lambert helped the Saints storm back after the break . A Nathan Clyne effort and an own goal from Ciaran Clark added to Villa 's misery .

In other matches , Hugo Rodallega scored against his old club as Fulham won 2-1 at Wigan , while Sunderland drew 1-1 at West Ham .

Sunday will see Liverpool face arch-rivals Manchester United , while champions Manchester City entertain Arsenal .

Norwich visit Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur host Queens Park Rangers .

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Ashley Cole scores late winner as Chelsea beat Stoke City 1-0

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Four wins from five games leave European champions top of EPL

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Everton go second with 3-0 win at 10-man Swansea

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Promoted Southampton thrash Aston Villa for first points of season